Liverpool chase momentum while Kuyt seeks confidence in Istanbul clash

A victory for Liverpool in Istanbul would keep the English club firmly on track in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League, and a positive result would allow Dirk Kuyt to steady Fenerbahce’s confidence after an uneven run that saw them draw 2-2 with Slavia Praha on October 20.

Recent form of both sides

Fenerbahce were routed 0-6 by Aston Villa on October 14, exposing defensive problems that the 2-2 draw with Slavia Praha on October 20 only partly eased.

Coach Dirk Kuyt needs a result here to steady confidence before the group stage tightens.

Liverpool won 4-3 against Villarreal on October 20 and followed with a 6-3 victory over LASK on October 14.

Both matches featured goals conceded as well as scored, suggesting an attack‑first approach under Andoni Iraola.

A win in Istanbul would keep Liverpool firmly on track in the competition.

Projected line‑ups for Istanbul

Dirk Kuyt lines Fenerbahce up in a 4-2-3-1 with Ederson in goal behind a back four of Mert Müldür, Milan Škriniar, Archie Brown and Levent Mercan.

Mattéo Guendouzi and N’Golo Kanté form the double pivot, while İrfan Can Kahveci, Mason Greenwood and Oğuz Aydin support Romelu Lukaku as the central striker.

With no absences listed, Kuyt can select his strongest available group, though the shape will need to hold up better defensively than it did against Aston Villa.

Andoni Iraola fields Liverpool in a matching 4-2-3-1 with Alisson in goal behind Ronald Araujo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil Van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas.

Treymaurice Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister anchor midfield, feeding Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola and Rio Ngumoha behind lone striker Cody Gakpo.

With no absences listed, Iraola can call on his first‑choice attacking group, and the balance of the front four suggests Liverpool will again look to win the game by scoring more than they concede.

Fenerbahce host Liverpool in the Champions League at Istanbul, and both sides will aim to build on their recent performances as the group stage tightens.